Three primary school pupils arrested after 'copycat sex attack on boys'

Three young brothers launched a sickening sexual assault on two boys inspired by the horrific attack of children in Doncaster, the father of one of the victims claimed yesterday.

The siblings, aged eight, 11 and 12, and another 12 year-old friend are said to have threatened to kill three 10 year-olds and mutilate their genitals unless they obeyed their demands.

Two of the terrified primary school pupils were allegedly forced to perform a sex attack on the other boy, who was ordered to strip naked.

Attack: Hengrove Park in Bristol where the assault allegedly took place

The naked child was allegedly then covered in dog excrement and the gang’s victims were also made to drink urine during the ordeal which apparently took place in a park in Bristol in broad daylight.

It comes just weeks after two brothers aged ten and 11 from Edlington near Doncaster, South Yorkshire were convicted of the worst child on child attack since the murder of Jamie Bulger.

Despite their young age, they already had a fearsome reputation in their community when they battered their young victims aged nine and 11 with bricks until the point where one pleaded to be left to die. Thankfully both survived the nightmare in April.

As in this latest attack which is said to have taken place in Hengrove Park, the perpetrators allegedly forced the boys to abuse each other.

Yesterday, the devastated father of one of the ten year-olds said he believed it was a copycat crime.

The man, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the children, said: ‘My lad was happy, now he's is withdrawn.

‘What's happened is unforgivable. I think it's a copycat attack - these lads read about that Doncaster case.

The two eldest brothers and their friend were arrested by police on suspicion of sexual assault. The eight year-old is too young to face prosecution.

It is suspected the alleged attack stems from a ‘turf war’ between three communities bordering the park with the boys coming from rival areas.

Historically, there have been tensions between youths from the deprived estates of Knowle West and Hartcliffe and teenagers from Hengrove.

A 2005 survey revealed that the number of offenders per 1,000 population is three times higher in Hengrove than in any other ward in the city.

It also found that there are more domestic violence incidents and children on the Child Protection Register than any other area of Bristol.

A major redevelopment of the 200 acre park, which lies three miles south of the city centre appeared to have largely stamped out the problems in recent months.

Local Liberal Democrat councillor Jos (corr) Clark said: ‘I have been a councillor for six years in Hengrove and this is the most serious incident of its kind I have encountered .

‘It’s absolutely disgusting but thankfully incidents like this are very rare.

‘There have been issues over ‘ownership’ of the park because it borders several areas, some of which are extremely deprived.

‘It would tend to be young teenagers that would clash.

‘But the council worked hard to tackle these issues and employed dedicated youth workers to monitor the park. This seemed to have solved the problems.’

But yesterday residents told of ongoing problems with youths in the park.

Dog walker Jenny Terry, 32, said: ‘I'll only use the park in the daylight but it seems that even that isn't safe anymore.

‘The park lends itself to this sort of antisocial behaviour due to the number of secluded wooded areas.

'There are often youngsters hanging around here late at night.'

A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police said they would be doing all they could to protect the identity of the victims.

He said: 'We can confirm that three youths, aged 11, 12, and 12, have been arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and have been bailed pending further enquiries.

'A fourth youth was detained but then released. Three boys of primary school age were allegedly assaulted.

‘The park would have been very busy on Saturday afternoon and we are asking for witnesses to come forward to help with our enquiries.'